François Czapek was an outstanding Czech-born Polish watchmaker who arrived in Switzerland in 1832. In 1839, he founded the watch company,  “Patek, Czapek & Cie” together with fellow Pole Antoine Patek.

In 1845, he founded another company, Czapek & Cie, which rapidly developed a reputation for timepieces with unique design that became very popular as gifts among Europe’s nobility. Czapek even became the purveyor of timepieces to the French Emperor, Napoléon III. At its height, Czapek & Cie. had boutiques in Geneva, Warsaw and on the prestigious Place Vendôme in Paris.

In 2013, three entrepreneurs with a deep appreciation of fine watchmaking came together to revive Czapek. They designed an innovative business model allowing watch fans to acquire shareholding equity in the brand and get privileged access to the watch collection. The subscription programme is scheduled to go live in November 2015.

Today, a movement and a collection of 7 different references are developed and ready to be commercialized. It has been presented in Geneva for the first time on Tuesday, November 10, 2015.

Two “complication” watches driven by proprietary movements have been created. They reflect the spirit of Czapek with a modern aesthetic. The first one has been open for subscription on November 10th 2015.

The Company has raised more than CHF 500’000 in 2015 and is now inviting fellow watch aficionados to join the current co-owners on their journey in re-building the brand and growing the Company.

CZAPEK & CIE will become the first Swiss Haute Horlogerie brand that offers watch lovers to become a co-owner of a legendary watch brand.

The business model is based first on Czapek direct selling and gradually the rise with selective distribution. So the first point of sales of the brand is in Paris, rue Saint Honoré, at Chronopassion. The company plans to produce the first series of watches (maximum 250 pieces) for subscription to shareholders and a wider public. This management in time inventories will limit stocks and then avoid getting stuck with unsold affecting the profitability of the company.

The shareholder base will give direct access to a first market through their first orders at shareholders prices, for themselves or a friend. Direct selling generates a very profitable business, even in these conditions. It will be complemented by a very selective network of twenty retailers around the world.

Czapek & Cie is the first Haute Horlogerie Company funded by watch lovers worldwide. The current fundraise will be conducted in three separate countries: UK, France and Switzerland, and fullfills the legal requirements of the legal authorities in each of these countries. In the UK, the Czapek and Cie Branch No. BR017964 entitles UK investors to get the EIS tax relief while investing in the Top Company based in Switzerland.

The investment is in Swiss Francs. The price for each share is CHF 50 which at current exchange rate of CHF 0.66 for £1 is equivalent to £ 33. Our objective is to raise CHF 1,150,000 or £ 759'000 across UK, France and Switzerland. Our minimum target is CHF 750'000 or £ 495'000.

Investors will be investing under a Shareholders agreement which can be found on the documents tab.